Mentioning "Hwangap" in Korean... Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Says "Nuclear Cooperation Will Continue"

Speech at the National Assembly Plenary Session on the 17th
Over 160 Members Gathered... Standing Ovation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on the 17th, "Korea is a leader in nuclear energy, and we will continue to cooperate on this carbon-free energy source."

Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Speech at the National Assembly
Photo by Yonhap News

Visiting Korea officially on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau said in a morning speech at the National Assembly, "We must seek ways to grow the economy while protecting the environment."

Trudeau added, "Together, we can make our economies cleaner and create better jobs for our people. We have already done so in the past. Canada and Korea have cooperated in the field of nuclear energy. It started in 1983 when the first CANDU reactor began operation at the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant."

Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Speech at the National Assembly
Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "Korea Gas Corporation is participating as a joint investor in Canada's LNG project, which will replace not only Russian natural gas but also coal usage," adding, "Canada is ready to strengthen cooperation with allies in all areas, from critical minerals to clean energy solutions."

Trudeau also emphasized, "Climate policy is economic policy, economic policy is security policy, and security policy has become social policy."

"North Korea must return to dialogue and diplomacy" urged

He also mentioned North Korea's denuclearization and human rights situation. Trudeau said, "Canada supports Korea's efforts for a denuclearized, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula," and "We continuously urge North Korea to return to the table of dialogue and diplomacy."

Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, shaking hands with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada [Image source=Yonhap News]

Trudeau further stated, "We will work with Korea to improve the human rights situation in North Korea." He said, "This is for the same reason Koreans chose to fight for democracy during the Gwangju Democratization Movement 43 years ago," adding, "Gwangju reminds us that Korean democracy did not happen by chance. Democracy never arises by accident and does not endure without effort."

Lastly, Trudeau referred to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries using the Korean term 'hwangap.' He said, "In Korean culture, turning 60 means one cycle ends and another begins. From the perspective of hwangap, I propose that we start a new cycle as best friends."

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau greeting members of parliament
Photo by Yonhap News

About 160 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attended Trudeau's speech that day. During the approximately 30-minute speech, lawmakers applauded 15 times and gave a standing ovation at the end.

This is the first time in six years since November 8, 2017, when then U.S. President Donald Trump visited and gave a speech at our National Assembly that a foreign head of state has addressed the assembly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.